Improvement of magnetic properties of an Fe–6.5 wt.% Si alloy by directional solidification

The magnetic properties of an Fe–6.5 wt.% Si alloy can be improved through texture and microstructure control during directional solidification process. With the increasing of directional solidification rate, the main texture of the Fe–6.5 wt.% Si alloy along specimen withdrawing direction evolved in the way of < 130> → < 100> → < 142>, and the coercivity initially decreased and then increased. For the directional solidification rate of 1 mm/min, a homogeneous microstructure of the Fe–6.5 wt.% Si alloy specimen with low energy boundaries between columnar grains was obtained. The main texture of the specimen was < 100>, and the coercivity of the alloy was reduced by 44% compared with that of the alloy consisting of equiaxed grains.

Research highlights
► Magnetic properties of Fe–6.5Si alloy can be improved by directional solidification.
► Microstructure of the alloy can be controlled by directional solidification.
► Coercivity of the directional solidified alloy was reduced by 44%.
► Low energy boundaries and < 100> fiber texture were obtained in the alloy.